Geen still keen on trawler

THE proponent behind the controversial super trawler - since sold and now fishing in Chilean waters where fish stocks are depleted - still has plans to operate such a vessel out of Devonport but is awaiting a court ruling and scientific review.

And Seafish Tasmania director Gerry Geen told The Advocate he expected the new Abbott government would base any future super trawler decision strictly on the fisheries science rather than public opinion.

The Federal Court in Brisbane is yet to make a ruling related to a challenge by Seafish Tasmania against a temporary ban on the vessel - initially called the FV Margiris but renamed the Abel Tasman - made last year by the then Labor federal government.

Meanwhile, an expert panel reviewing the issue of seal and dolphin by-catch is not expected to report to the Federal Government until October.

There was also "an egg survey going on as we speak'', Mr Geen said.

Mr Geen said he expected his Dutch partners Parlevliet & Van der Plas BV involved in the proposed super trawler, earmarked to operate out of Devonport and create about 45 jobs while fishing the Great Australian Bight, would still be keen to pursue the venture pending a successful outcome on the court and expert review hurdles.

"The only thing that's clear is we would like the opportunity to catch our quota,'' Mr Geen said.

"We need to talk to our Dutch partners.

"We have not called them for a long time but as far as I'm aware they are still interested.

"We are sort of sitting on our hands.

"It's all very quiet and we are waiting on the outcome of the court case.

"I'm surprised it has taken this long.''

Mr Geen's plans to bring the floating fish factory and freezer to Tasmania caused a tide of public backlash, forcing the then federal government to ban the 143-metre long Abel Tasman for two years from fishing for redbait, jack mackerel and blue mackerel in the Small Pelagic Fishery or even operating simply as a receiving floating fish factory, pending an expert panel assessment.

Mr Geen said unlike the previous government, Liberal MPs such as Tasmanian Senator and now Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Richard Colbeck, were more supportive of his sustainable fishing venture.

"I expect the Liberal (federal) government will be weighing up the science very carefully,'' Mr Geen said.

"I think Richard Colbeck has been very clear he is very science driven.

"He's looking to the outcome of the scientific review.''

Mr Geen said he would not abandon his plans.

"It comes down to whether people want there to be a fishery for those species or not,'' Mr Geen said.

"If the answer is 'yes' then these are the sorts of vessels that need to be used.

"It's not necessarily related to Tasmania.

"It's a fishery that stretches from Western Australia to Queensland - that was our whole idea.''

Critics of super trawlers say the vessels have pillaged fish stocks in other parts of the world, including in West Africa where they have been targeted by groups such as Greenpeace.

The Abel Tasman is now operating in South American waters.

"It went to the Chilean mackerel fishery in the high seas,'' Mr Geen said.

"That particular fish stock over there is known to be pretty depleted and I think any catch taken from it is not a great idea.''

However, Mr Geen said the Chileans took their fisheries scientific research seriously unlike some other foreign governments.

It remains unclear how much money Seafish Tasmania has so far invested in the super trawler.

It was costing the East Coast-based company an estimated $5000 a day as the then Margiris sat idle at the South Australian port of Port Lincoln.

Mr Geen said he was not currently pursuing any compensation.

Seafish Tasmania's plan to bring the super trawler FV Margiris to Tasmania was met with fierce public protest.